Arzani gives compelling Russia X-factor audition for van Marwijk

Daniel Arzani will likely be given the freedom to play his way in Russia having been told by Socceroos' coach Bert van Marwijk to not focus so much on tactics but to simply "bring some energy".

The 19-year-old – the youngest player going to the World Cup – scored his first international goal in Australia's 2-1 win over Hungary on Sunday morning just moments after replacing Robbie Kruse in the 74th minute.

With his first touches of the ball, he cut inside from the left wing past two defenders and unleashed a right-foot shot from outside the box that found its way underneath the embarrassed Hungary keeper, Denes Dibusz.

Arzani also had a pivotal role in Australia's winner when he played Jackson Irvine in behind the defence with a clever slide pass. The hard-running Irvine squared the ball back across goal, where Hungary captain Tamas Kadar poked it through the legs of the hapless Dibusz.

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Arzani said van Marwijk's quick talk before being brought on was simple: go out there and play the way he enjoys.

"I am happy to help the team in anyway I can," the Melbourne City man said. "Going on to the field, the advice from the gaffer was to just bring some energy on, do my thing, and that's what I did," Arzani said.

Arzani said he was stunned to have scored his first goal in just his second international appearance and immediately after coming on as a substitute, so much so that he froze instead of celebrating the goal.

"Really happy, a little bit shocked, that's why I didn't celebrate so much. A bit of luck on my side for the goal I think. It's such a surreal feeling, you know, even to play for my country but to get on and score within seconds is really amazing," he said. "My mum and my dad were in the crowd. I ran to the corner flag for some reason. I don't know – I was a little bit confused."

Arzani is hoping his debut goal will be enough to get him into the side to play in Australia's opening World Cup match against France on Saturday.

"You never know, it's football. At the minute, as you can all see, I know just as much as you guys really. I turn up to training each day trying my hardest, but at the minute that's the way it's panning out. I just try my best to help out the team in anyway that I can," Arzani said. "I think it's important not to put too much pressure on yourself and just try to enjoy things, and that's what I'm going to try and do."